Immigration and Naturalization Records

Like other American industrial cities, large and small, Trenton was shaped by multiple waves of immigrants.  After the initial wave of English Quakers, other groups followed with large influxes of Germans and Irish in the mid 1800’s bringing the first large non-English speaking communities to Trenton.  Later in the century, new nationalities from Southern (Italian) and Eastern (Slavs, Jews) Europe created new neighborhoods with vibrant social and religious organizations.  In the 20^th century, African-Americans from the U.S. South brought further changes to the city’s population and more recently Hispanics have come to Trenton in large numbers.

 Some data on immigration can be gleaned from census records, ships lists or entry records such as those from Ellis Island.  Many immigrants sought to become fully integrated in their new home city and became citizens.   This process of naturalization led to the creation of records that are of great interest to genealogists.  Originally housed with the Mercer County Clerk, these government forms are now in the New Jersey State Archives.  Naturalization required completion of a Declaration of Intent and then a Petition for Naturalization.  These records have been indexed in three date groups. 

1838-1902 Index, Surnames Starting with Letter 'A'

1903-1906 Naturalization Index

1907-1940 Index

 

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